$700,000 Bribery Scam: EFCC Operative Reveals How Alleged Impersonators Were Arrested
An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operative has told a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja how investigators arrested two men accused of demanding $1 million from a former Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) managing director to allegedly halt an investigation.
The suspects, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, are standing trial over an alleged $700,000 fraud involving Muhammad Bello Koko, a former Managing Director of the NPA.
The Second Prosecution Witness, Tanko Abubakar, gave the account on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie at the FCT High Court, Apo, Abuja.
The EFCC is prosecuting the defendants on an amended four-count charge bordering on impersonation, conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.
According to the commission, Joshua allegedly posed as the Personal Assistant to EFCC Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede, while Hashim allegedly worked with him to obtain money from Koko by claiming that the former NPA boss was under investigation.
The defendants allegedly told their victim that the EFCC chairman and the commission’s Director of Operations required $1 million to stop the investigation. The amount was reportedly reduced to $700,000 following negotiations.
How the Investigation Began
Abubakar, who works with the Land and Property Section of the EFCC’s Ibadan Zonal Command, told the court that he had spent between 16 and 17 years with the commission, conducting investigations, surveillance and undercover operations.
He said his involvement in the case began in 2024 when the Abuja Zonal Director directed him to investigate intelligence suggesting that the two defendants were attempting to defraud Koko.
The witness said Koko informed him that Hashim had claimed to know a personal assistant to the EFCC chairman who could help stop the purported investigation in exchange for $1 million.
Abubakar said Koko subsequently introduced him to Hashim, enabling him to establish contact with the second defendant in August 2024.
According to the witness, Hashim later invited him to Crystal Palace Hotel on Gimbiya Street, Area 11, Abuja, where he was told that a meeting with Joshua was necessary.
The witness said Joshua, who allegedly presented himself as the EFCC chairman’s personal assistant, later joined them at the legislative quarters in Apo, Abuja.
During the meeting, Joshua allegedly demanded $1 million from Abubakar and Koko to close the purported investigation.
Abubakar told the court that he offered $300,000, but the proposal was rejected. He subsequently increased the offer to $500,000, which Joshua also turned down.
The witness said Hashim eventually intervened and persuaded Joshua to accept $700,000, leading to an agreement between the parties.
Failed Arrest Attempt at Filling Station
Abubakar said he reported the agreement to his Zonal Director, who assembled an investigative team comprising himself, Hakeem Lasisi, Abdulhamid Wodi and Olalekan Ogunjobi to execute the operation.
He told the court that on August 28, 2024, he informed the defendants that he had returned from Kaduna with the money and was heading to the EFCC headquarters.
However, Joshua allegedly instructed him to meet at an A.A. Rano filling station along Lugbe Road in Abuja.
According to the witness, Joshua arrived in a Hilux vehicle and another jeep, with three armed mobile police officers inside the Hilux. Hashim also arrived at the location.
Abubakar said the EFCC team could not proceed with the arrest because Joshua was accompanied by armed police officers, while the commission’s operatives at the scene were unarmed.
He explained that he subsequently contacted his office, which mobilised armed personnel to support the operation.
EFCC Operatives Arrest Suspects
The witness said he later informed Hashim that the money was ready and was directed to meet him at Crystal Palace Hotel in Area 11.
He added that after Joshua failed to answer his call, he sent a text message confirming that the money was available. Joshua later called back and directed him to meet Hashim.
Abubakar testified that he drove to Gimbiya Street and showed Hashim the bag containing the money, prompting EFCC operatives to move in and arrest him.
He said Hashim initially denied knowing Joshua’s residence but eventually led the operatives there after Joshua requested a video call to verify that the money was ready.
According to the witness, Joshua’s wife allowed the EFCC operatives into the house to conduct a search. Joshua was subsequently found inside his store and arrested.
Both defendants were taken to the EFCC headquarters following their arrest.
The proceedings continued after prosecution counsel, Elizabeth Alabi, informed the court that the initially scheduled witness, Hakeem Lasisi, could not attend because of an official assignment outside the country. The court subsequently approved Abubakar’s testimony.
Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case until Thursday, October 22, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
The defendants remain accused persons in an ongoing trial, and the allegations against them have yet to be determined by the court.
